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IMPACT ASSESSMENT (WATER POLLUTION)

WATER QUALITY

INTRODUCTION

This section presents the water quality impact assessment for the construction and operational phases of the
Project. As the construction works of the Project will be land-based, the main concern is the impacts, if any, to the
Water Gathering Ground (WGG) and watercourses in the vicinity of the Development Site and along Sha Lo Tung Road
Improvement, as well as the temporary footbridge within the Ecological Reserve.

The assessment of potential impacts of land based construction and operation activities on water quality upon identified
Water Sensitive Receivers (WSRs) has been carried out. Consideration has been given to control potentially adverse
impacts from the development, and mitigation measures are recommended to avoid and minimize the potential for
discharges of pollutants to the nearby receiving watercourses in the vicinity of the Project area.

Potential sources of impacts

Construction Phase

The major construction activities include site formation, excavation, foundation, superstructure and building
construction, landscaping, slope stabilisation and E&M work. Only small construction plants will be required and no
demolition work is required. Therefore, potential sources of water quality impacts associated with the construction of
the Development Site comprise:

· Construction runoff and drainage;

· Runoff from general construction activities; and

· Domestic sewage effluent produced by the on-site construction workers.

Operational phase

Potential sources of water quality impacts during operation of the Project include:

· Surface runoff and drainage including the Development Site and the road; and

· Domestic sewage effluent produced by the operators and visitors.

Assessment of Water Quality Impacts

Development Site

Construction Phase

Construction Runoff and Drainage

Runoff and drainage from construction sites may contain considerable loads of suspended solids and possible
contaminants. Potential sources of water pollution from site runoff include:

· Runoff and erosion of exposed bare soil and earth, drainage channels and temporary stockpiles;

· Release of cement materials with rain wash;

· Wash water from dust suppression sprays and vehicle wheel washing facilities; and

· Fuel, oil, and lubricant from maintenance of construction vehicles and mechanical equipment.

General Construction Activities

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On-site construction activities may cause water pollution due to:

· Uncontrolled discharge of wastewater generated from concrete washing and vehicle washing;

· Uncontrolled discharge of debris and rubbish such as packaging, construction waste and refuse etc; and

· Spillages of liquid and chemicals stored on-site, such as oil, diesel and solvents etc.

Operational Phase

Change in Hydrology and Flow Regime

The overall design philosophy for the stormwater drainage is to retain the rainfall-runoff response as close to the
existing regime as possible to minimise impacts. Calculations are presented in Annex C that consider the overall site as a
series of discrete elements. Proposed changes to the topography and land use are analysed and the resultant change to
the hydrology identified in terms of quantity and quality for each discrete area.

Surface Runoff and Drainage

Given the nature of the Project (provision of Nature Interpretation Centre, Multi-Cultural Education Retreat and
Columbarium) and the activities undertaken within the Development Site (visitors mainly come for day visit to the
Ecological Reserve and columbarium, and for training/ retreat, and the prohibition of burning of effigies and paper
offerings, application of pesticides, insecticides and chemical fertilizers), there will be no pollution generated during the
operation of Nature Interpretation Centre, and Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium.

Sewage Effluent
There is one public toilet with septic tank soak-away systems located at the end of Sha Lo Tung Road, next to the Sha Lo
Tung stream and within the Sha Lo Tung SSSI zone. New toilets connecting to new sewerage system and finally
discharged to the Tai Po STW will be provided within the Development Site (Nature Interpretation Centre and Multi-
Cultural Education Retreat) allowing for public uses during operation. Such arrangement can help to minimise the
potential water quality impacts due to the public toilet. The feasibility of (1) disuse of the existing public toilet (direct
visitors using the new toilets in the Development Site and (2) discharging the sewage generated from the existing public
toilet to the new sewerage system for the Development Site will be investigated during the Detailed Design stage and
approval by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will be required.

Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement

Construction Phase

Construction Runoff and Drainage

Runoff and drainage from linear construction sites may contain considerable loads of suspended solids and possible
contaminants. Potential sources of water pollution from site runoff include:

· Runoff and erosion of exposed bare soil and earth, drainage channels and temporary stockpiles;

· Release of cement materials with rain wash;

· Wash water from dust suppression sprays and vehicle wheel washing facilities; and

· Fuel, oil, and lubricant from maintenance of construction vehicles and mechanical equipment.

General Construction Activities

On-site construction activities may cause water pollution due to:

· Uncontrolled discharge of wastewater generated from concrete washing and vehicle washing;

· Uncontrolled discharge of debris and rubbish such as packaging, construction waste and refuse etc; and
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· Spillages of liquid stored on-site, such as oil, diesel and solvents etc.

Operational Phase

Vehicles will enter the Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium along the
improved Sha Lo Tung Road to the car park which will be situated at the western side of the Development Site. The road
runoff may contain minimal amounts of oil, grease and grit that may cause water quality impacts to the watercourses, if
uncontrolled as in the existing condition.

However, it is expected that with effective layers of drainage mitigation measures employing stormwater best
management practices including provision of trapped gullies and catchpits, as discussed in Section 6.6, the risk of
adverse impacts to the water quality is as low as reasonably practicable and an improvement on the existing
situation. Furthermore, it is noted that traffic is expected to remain relatively light except during festival periods.

Sampling Stations
Fung Yuen Stream Sha Lo Tung Stream
Parameters 1 2 3 4 5 6
Nov 09 data (Mean Value of
3 Replicates)
pH (at 25oC) 7.3 7.1 7.1 7.8 7.7 7.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.6 3.7 7.7 8.5 8.2 8.0
Suspended Solid (mg/L) <5 5.7 <5 <5 <5 <5
Biochemical Oxygen <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Demand (BOD) (mg/L)
Chemical Oxygen Demand <10 <10 14.7 <10 <10 11
(COD) (mgO2/L)
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) <0.025 0.05 <0.025 <0.025 <0.025 <0.025
Unionized Ammonia (mg/L) <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
E. coli (cfu/100ml) 39 147 9 1 14 0
May 2010 data (Mean Value
of 2 Replicates)
Flow Rate (m3/day) - - >500 & >100 & ≤10 >100 & ≤500
≤1000 ≤500
pH Value (at 25oC) - - Note (1)
Water Temperature (oC) - - 21.6 21.6 22.0 21.7
Colour (Lovibond colour - - 25 20 20 10
unit)
Conductivity (µS/cm) - - 41.5 41.5 40 36.5
Salinity (ppt) - - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
Suspended Solids (mg/L) - - <10 <10 <10 <10
Turbidity (NTU) - - 2.195 1.775 2.24 2.335
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) - - 8.00 7.57 5.97 7.45
Dissolved Oxygen - - 90.75 85.95 69.1 85.05
Saturation (%)
Biochemical Oxygen - - <2 4.0 <2 <2
Demand (5-day) (mg/L)
Chemical Oxygen Demand - - 26 28 43 25
(mgO2/L)
Oil & Grease (mg/L) - - <5 <5 <5 <5
Boron (µg/L) - - <10 15 <10 <10
Barium (µg/L) - - 13.5 15 16 14
Iron (mg/L) - - 0.31 0.28 0.44 0.10
Arsenic (µg/L) - - <10 <10 <10 <10
Chromium (µg/L) - - <1 <1 <1 <1
Mercury (µg/L) - - <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05
Cadmium (µg/L) - - <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2
Selenium (µg/L) - - <10 <10 <10 <10
Copper (µg/L) - - <1 <1 <1 <1
Lead (µg/L) - - <1 <1 1.25 <1
Manganese (µg/L) - - 23 18.5 60 14
Zinc (µg/L) - - <10 <10 15 <10
Nickel (µg/L) - - <1 <1 <1 <1
Silver (µg/L) - - <1 <1 <1 <1
Total Toxic Metals (mg/L) - - 0.35 0.31 0.53 0.13
Total Cyanide (mg/L) - - <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
Total Phenols (mg/L) - - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
Sulphide (µg/L) - - 83.5 85 84.5 85.5
Fluoride (mg/L) - - <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
Sulphate (mg/L) - - <12 <12 <12 <12
Chloride (mg/L) - - <5 <5 <5 <5
Total Reactive Phosphorus - - 0.04 0.05 0.02 <0.01
(mg/L)
Ammonia nitrogen (mg/L) - - <0.025 <0.025 <0.025 <0.025
Nitrate + Nitrite (mg/L) - - 0.021 0.0435 0.0245 0.0145
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E. coli (cfu.100ml) - - Note (1)

MITIMITIGATION MEASURES

In order to minimise the impacts of wastewater/ runoff generated on site to the nearby WSRs, mitigation measures and
good site practices will be adopted during the construction and operation phases of the Project based on
the ProPECC PN 1/94 and ProPECC PN 5/93. The following sub-sections described the practices and measures to be
adopted.

Ecological Reserve

In view of minor works during construction and operation, no mitigation measures will be required for the enhancement
and operation/ maintenance of the Ecological Reserve.
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With the implementation of good construction practice (see below), no adverse water quality impact is anticipated for
the small scale of the works associated with the fencing at Lei Uk, construction and removal of the temporary footbridge
and minor improvement of the existing new footpath to Lei Uk.

Good Construction Practice

· Conduct all the works during dry season and using hand tools;

· Locate the footing of the temporary footbridge at bare land and avoid vegetated areas as much as practical;

· Avoid or minimize vegetation removal as much as possible;

· Restricting the number of workers within the Ecological Reserve during construction;

· Regularly check the work site boundaries to ensure that they are not breached and that damage does not occur
to surrounding habitats in particular the secondary woodland and Sha Lo Tung streams; and,

· No pesticide or herbicide be used for pest and weed control.

Development Site

Construction Phase

Sha Lo Tung Valley comprises water quality sensitive receivers including Sha Lo Tung SSSI and stream, which is also
considered of high ecological and conservation significance. To avoid ecological risk to the downstream Sha Lo Tung
Valley, any discharge of construction runoff from the Development Site is prohibited. The following practices and
measures are proposed to ensure that no discharge of construction runoff occurs to the downstream ecologically
sensitive areas.

Prevention of Construction Runoff from Polluting the Nearby Watercourse and Ecological Sensitive Areas

The following mitigation measures are considered to be adequate to practically minimise and control the construction
runoff so that they would effectively prevent any contamination of the nearby water and ecological sensitive receivers.

Operational Phase

Surface Runoff and Drainage

After identifying the sub-divisions in the natural topography based on their drainage characteristics it is possible to
develop mitigation measures to minimize the impact of the development on the existing drainage system and in
particular the discharge into Sha Lo Tung Stream as well as the wet abandoned agricultural land. The approach to the
drainage impact mitigation measures has as an overriding objective to retain and maintain the existing quality and
quantity of water flow into the Sha Lo Tung natural stream systems downstream of the Development Site. In doing so it
is intended to draw clear distinctions between the following run-off and drainage circumstances (also summarised
in Table 6.5):

· Development Site subject to vehicular traffic (“development vehicular zones”) – where the run-off will be
collected using back of kerb filter drains, trapped road gullies and a piped stormwater system. This will discharge run-off
to a pumping station located beneath the car park area with all flows being discharged back over the crest of the access
road and into the structured road drainage to be provided as part of the road improvements ;

· Developments Site with no vehicular traffic (“development non-vehicular zones”) – where porous or semi
permeable paved surfaces will be used in association with grassed swales and soakaways to attenuate run-off. Terraced
construction will control the rate of surface runoff with catchpits providing oxygenation and solids removal at the steps
formed. Removal with clearing/disposal as required. This will provide the required information on the volume of
washed down material and this can be used to determine an effective and efficient clearing frequency programme.

· Areas within the development site that are either naturally vegetated, landscaped and/or undisturbed area
(“non-development zones”) where run-off will not have any interaction with the development and can pass into the
existing stream system via buffer zones.

· The hazards and risk associated with accidental oil spillage and leakage are negligible because all storm water
run-off from the access road and car park within the Development Site will be isolated, collected in pumping station
located beneath the proposed car park and then pumped back into the stormwater drainage system for the upgraded
access road where it will re-enter the existing main storm water drainage system for the Ting Kong Road.
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· Adoption of the proposed measures in Annex C (Drainage Assessment and Mitigation Measures).

Domestic Sewage Effluent

It should be noted that no restaurant will be provided within the Development Site, and no trade effluent discharge will
be generated during the operational phase. The sewerage system is also summarised in Table 6.5.

· To cater for this increase in generated sewage during the festival days, the sewage storage tank will be emptied
before the festivals and immediately after the festivals. Several portable toilets will also be erected at the pick up/ drop
off point at the entrance of Sha Lo Tung Road (next to Ting Kok Road) during those days. All of them will be surrounded
by temporary intercept drains and appropriately mounted for contingency purpose. The sewage storage (equalisation)
tank should also be emptied before and immediately after the festivals and should be maintained regularly.

· The sewage will be discharged into the foul sewer. The storage tank and all sewers within the water gathering
ground will be designed and constructed to comply with the Buildings (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing,
Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap 123I) reg. 47A to ensure that they are watertight. Other requirements of
WSD on the design and details of construction will be complied with through the circulation of drainage plans to the
Building Authority. The sewage tank should be fitted with a level indicator and a high level alarm system. The detailed
design of the sewage tank and the associated facilities will submit to WSD for approval prior the construction. The
sewage storage tank will be located at least 40 m away from Sha Lo Tung Stream. An adequately maintained duty pump
with a 100% standby pumping capacity and alternative power supply is considered to be adequate to address pumping
requirements in emergency situations. An approximately 2 km long 225 mm diameter twin sewerage rising mains will
be installed from the Development Site running along Sha Lo Tung Road to the existing sewerage network at
Ting Kok Road. The sewage will be discharged regularly to the Tai Po STW.

· Regular inspection and maintenance for the storage tanks, piping materials and joints of sewers will be
conducted to ensure that leakage of sewage effluent from the tank and pipeline does not occur.

· If leakage or spillage of sewerage does occur, it should be contained and cleaned up promptly.

RESIDUAL IMPACTS

It has been predicted in the previous sections that there would not be any insignificant environmental impacts, provided
that the mitigation and pollution control measures, as mentioned in Section 6.6, are properly and fully
implemented. Hence no adverse residual water quality impacts were predicted to occur due to construction and
operation of the Project with full implementation of the above described mitigation measures.

It is unlikely that the polluted water will flow from the construction site into Sha Lo Tung Stream during the construction
phase in view of the following measures. These measures will minimise the site run-off and avoid any contaminated
run-off discharging into Sha Lo Tung Stream as well as the wet abandoned agricultural land and hence no residual
impacts are expected.

· Complete the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement (with well designed drainage systems) before any construction
works are undertaken within the Development Site;

· Restrict earthworks to the dry season in order to minimise the site run-off;

· Manage the construction sequences to limit the volume of surface runoff generated on-site, in particular during
the wet season;

· Provide temporary drainage channels with sandtraps to divert site runoff to the sandtrap of large capacity before
discharging it from the site;

· Provide silt removal facilities such as sand traps;

· Provide a separate temporary drainage system to divert the natural upslope runoff away from the site and
minimise the site runoff;

· Erect continuous site hoardings with seal along the northern boundary of the Development Site in order to
contain the run-offs within the site and avoid overflow into Sha Lo Tung Stream; and

· Carry out daily inspection to monitor the effectiveness of the measures by an on-site conservation specialist.

Similarly, no residual water quality impacts were predicted to occur during the operation of the Project with the
suggested mitigation measures in place. The key water quality impact assessment and the associated mitigation
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DIAMANCE, Emmanuel B.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

At present there are no planned projects to be constructed in sufficient proximity to the Project Sites (including
Ecological Reserve, Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement) to cause cumulative environmental
impacts. No construction works will be undertaken within the villages (e.g. Cheung Uk and Lei Uk) within the Sha Lo
Tung Valley. It should also be noted that the construction of the Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement
would not be undertaken concurrently, as the existing Sha Lo Tung Road has to be improved before the construction
activities of the Development Site can occur.

CONCLUSION
Environment and Water Quality Sensitive Receivers

Sha Lo Tung Valley comprises water quality sensitive receivers including Sha Lo Tung SSSI and stream, which are also
considered of high ecological and conservation significance, as well as the wet abandoned agricultural land to the east of
the Development Site. It has been identified that the water quality sensitive receivers (WSRs) of the Development Site
and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement include Sha Lo Tung SSSI, Fung Yuen Valley SSSI and streams.

Ecological Reserve

The enhancement works will include installation of a drop bar at the road entrance to Sha Lo Tung Valley, weed removal,
enrichment planting, marsh restoration, plantation, trail enhancement, provision of alternative country park access and
enhancing the existing damaged footpath alongside the natural streams. No pesticides or herbicide will be used for
weed removal. Other works within the Ecological Reserve will also include construction and removal of the temporary
footbridge, and fencing at Lei Uk and minor improvement of the existing new footpath to Lei Uk. These works will be
carried out with hand tools only. No major excavation works will be required and no water quality impact is anticipated.

Only minor works will be required during emergencies or routine maintenance. No wastewater generating activity will
occur and no water quality impact is expected during the operational phase.

Development Site

During the construction phase of the Project water quality impacts have the potential to arise from construction runoff,
general construction activities and domestic sewage discharge. To avoid ecological risk to the downstream Sha Lo Tung
Valley, any discharge of construction runoff from the Development Site is prohibited. The following practices and
measures to be proposed are targeted to ensure no discharge of construction runoff to the downstream ecological
sensitive areas:

· Complete the Sha Lo Tung Road improvement (with well designed drainage and sewerage systems) before any
construction works are undertaken within the Development Site;

· Restrict earthworks to the dry season;

· Manage the construction sequences, in particular during the wet season;

· Provide temporary drainage channels to divert site runoff to the sandtrap before discharging it from the site;

· Provide silt removal facilities such as sandtraps;

· Provide a separate temporary drainage system to divert the natural runoff away from the site and minimise the
site runoff;

· Erect a continuous site hoarding with seal along the northern boundary of the Development Site;

· Carry out daily inspection; and

· Carry out water quality monitoring programme during and after construction.

Effective controls, including but not limited to the construction of peripheral channels and erection of the site hoarding
(with any gaps to be filled and cemented) in advance of site formation works and a restriction that earthworks are
undertaken only during the dry season, will be implemented. Consequently, the potential water quality impacts will be
controlled and are expected to be minimal.

The principal impacts on the existing drainage that require mitigation are as follows:
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DIAMANCE, Emmanuel B.
· Increase in the total volume of run-off;

· Increase in peak intensity of run-off flow; and

· Increase in risk of pollution.

The increase in water quantity has been addressed by minimising the creation of impermeable surfaces, encouraging
natural ground water recharge through soakaways/filter drains and transferring all highway runoff into the adjacent
urban catchment. The increase in peak intensity has been addressed by controlled run-off attenuation using swales,
naturally lined channels, catchpits, and vortex grit separator with outlet control and undeveloped buffer zones. The risk
of pollution has been addressed by transferring runoff from high risk area to the adjacent urban catchment, and the use
of catchpits, filter drains and vortex grit separator in the traffic free, low risk Development Site.

The hazards and risk associated with accidental oil spillage and leakage are negligible because all storm water run-off
from the access road and car park within the Development Site will be isolated, collected in the pumping station located
beneath the proposed car park and then pumped back into the stormwater drainage system for the upgraded access
road where it will re-enter the existing main storm water drainage system for the Ting Kong Road.

Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement

During the construction phase of the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement, the water quality impacts have the potential to
arise mainly from construction runoff and general construction activities. It is anticipated that the effects on water
quality from the construction activities are likely to be minimal, provided that major earthworks are undertaken during
dry season, and that good construction practices and a well designed temporary drainage system are implemented.

Vehicles will enter the Ecological Reserve, Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum
Columbarium along the improved Sha Lo Tung Road to the car park which will be situated at the western side of the
Development Site. The road runoff may contain minimal amounts of oil, grease and grit that may cause water quality
impacts to the watercourses, if uncontrolled. With the collection of the run-off and then pumping back into the
structured highway drainage system along the improved Sha Lo Tung Road that ultimately connects to the
existing stormwater system in Ting Kok Road, no adverse impacts to the WSRs are anticipated. Furthermore, it is
anticipated that the number of vehicles entering the area will be relatively low when compared to the main roads and
this will further minimise water quality impacts.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (AIR POLLUTION)

AIR QUALITY

Introduction

This Chapter presents an assessment of the potential air quality impact arising from the construction and operation of
the Project. Mitigation measures have been identified to alleviate the impact and their effectiveness has been
evaluated.
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Hong Kong Air Quality Objectives

Pollutant Averaging time Concentration limit [i] Number of

(μg/m3) exceedances
allowed
Sulphur dioxide 10-minute 500 3
24-hour 125 3
Respirable suspended 24-hour 100 9
particulates (PM10) Annual 50 Not applicable
[ii]
Fine suspended 24-hour 75 9
particulates (PM2.5) Annual 35 Not applicable
[iii]
Nitrogen dioxide 1-hour 200 18
Annual 40 Not applicable
Ozone 8-hour 160 9
Carbon monoxide 1-hour 30,000 0
8-hour 10,000 0
Lead Annual 0.5 Not applicable

Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation

Mitigation measures for construction sites have been specified in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulation. It also requires Contractors and site agents to inform EPD and adopt dust reduction measures while carrying
out “Notifiable Works” or “Regulatory Works” as defined under the regulation. Works relevant to this Project include
both “Notifiable Works” (road construction) and “Regulatory Works” (dusty materials handling, excavation).

Baseline Environmental Condition

Po Toi O is located in a rural area to the south of Clear Water Bay Country Park. Its openness to the South China Sea and
the absence of industrial undertakings within 1 km imply that good air quality is anticipated. Po Toi O is home to some
village houses and two seafood restaurants.

There is currently no EPD-operated air quality monitoring station located in Po Toi O area. The nearest air quality
monitoring station operated by EPD is located at Kwun Tong, but the air quality data is considered inappropriate as the
station is located in a mix of industrial/commercial/domestic premises, mildly affected by the open sea. Annual Average
Concentration of Pollutants from Year 2010 to 2014 at EPD’s Air Quality Monitoring Station (Tap Mun)

Pollutant Annual Average Concentration (mg/m3) 5-year

average
Year Year Year Year Year
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
RSP 41 47 38 49 44 44
SO2 10 10 11 13 9 11
NO2 13 12 11 11 10 11
O3 67 71 71 75 72 71
Reference: Air Quality in Hong Kong 2010-2013 & Air Quality Statistical Summary in Hong Kong 2014

ASRs in the vicinity of the proposed works boundary are identified for the assessment and the locations of these ASRs
and their nearest horizontal separation from the proposed sewer and rising mains pipes and odour emission point of
sewage treatment plant (STP) are tabulated in Table 3-3. Locations of the representative ASRs and the assessment
points are shown in Figure 3-1.

Table 3-3: Representative Air Sensitive Receivers

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DIAMANCE, Emmanuel B.
ASR Description Land Use Ground Nearest Horizontal No. of
mPD Separation(m) From Proposed Storey

Pipes Odour Emission

Point
PTO_A1 Village House in PTOCR 28 Village 6 3 80 2
PTO_A2 Village House in PTOCR 23 Village 3.7 2.1 97 2
PTO_A3 Village House in PTOCR 7 Village 4 1 147 3
PTO_A4 Village House in PTOCR 7A Village 4.1 0.95 208 3
PTO_A5 Village House in PTOCR 3A Village 4.5 3.9 257 2
FV_A1 Fairway Vista House 3 Village 23.1 1.5 284 3
FV_A2 Fairway Vista House 12 Village 7.5 1.6 350 3
REC_A1 Grassland Recreation 23.1 38 194 1
TEM_A1 Hung Shing Temple Place of 4.1 5.2 180 1
Worship

Identification of Pollution Sources

Air Pollutant Control Ordinance (APCO) (Cap311) and EIAO-TM stipulate statutory Air Quality Objective (AQO) for 7
criteria air pollutants including NO2, SO2, FSP, RSP, CO, O3 and lead.

Construction Phase

 l Excavation and slope cutting for site formation work for the proposed sewage treatment plant
 l Materials handling
 l Excavation for pipeline installation for the village sewerage
 l Dredging and disposal of excavated/dredged materials,
 l Backfilling
 l Building construction, and installation of electrical and mechanical equipment.
 l Wind erosion of open sites and stockpiling areas.

Operational Phase

Based on the nature of the Project, no air pollutants set out in AQOs shall be generated during the operational phase of
the Project. The only identifiable potential impact would be odour impact arising from the operation of the proposed
sewage treatment plant.

Hydrogen sulphide produced during sewage treatment is the main odour source. The vent gas will be de-odourized prior
to discharge into the atmosphere. The primary idea on the de-odourizing system (DO system) is to adopt biotrickling
filters and/or activated carbon filters. While the exact type or combination of the DO system has not been confirmed,
the ultimate goal is to achieve removal efficiency of at least 99.5%. All equipment will be stored underground with an
exhaust emission point at +17.75mPD for dispersion.

Assessment Methodology

Construction Phase

3.6.1 Under the APCO, dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulation should be implemented and detailed in Section 3.8. With effective implementation of these mitigation

measures, adverse construction dust impacts are not expected at the ASRs. Quantitative assessment is therefore
considered not necessary.

Operation Phase
Meteorology
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The wind speed and wind direction are the two major features affecting the odour dispersion. Low wind speeds can
allow for accumulation of odour which may be swept off site when the wind speed increases. At high wind speeds,
odour emissions can become significant. Seasonal wind data were reviewed in order to design the most appropriate
exhaust location of the proposed sewage treatment plant.

Model Description

Significant odour impact is anticipated if the STP is not properly designed and/or operated. Gaussian model ISCST3 was
used for modelling potential effects from odour within the 500m assessment area of the Project (see Section 3.4.1).

The odour criterion is based on an averaging time of 5 seconds. The model output corresponds more closely to a
maximum 15-minute average concentration. This matter relates to the Pasquill-Gifford vertical dispersion parameter
used in the ISCST3 model which is fully documented in the Workbook on Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates. With
reference to the “Odour Modelling - Why and How, Richard A. Duffee et al” and the “Odour Control - A Concise Guide,
Warren Spring Laboratory”, the conversion of maximum 15-minute average odour to 5-second average odour are shown
in Table 3-4. The overall conversion factors under different stability classes are applied to the model so that the
predicted outputs are in 5-second average concentration.

Table 3-4: Summary of Conversion Factors from 1-hour to 5-second

Stability Class Conversion Factor

A, B 22.3
C 8.50
D 6.90
E, F 6.55

Emission Strength

3.6.7 At-source odour concentration inside the sewage treatment plant was assessed based on the inflow quality,
flow rate, and preliminary design of the plant and the data was used as input to the ISCST3 model as provided in Table 3-
5 below.

Table 3-5: Design Parameter of the Sewage Treatment Plant

Design Parameter Strength

De-odourizing treatment capacity 1,500 m3/hr
Air velocity at exhaust 3.32 m/s
Exhaust diameter 400mm
Exhaust location +17.75 mPD
Exhaust temperature Ambient temperature
H2S concentration at the inlet 20 ppm
H2S concentration at the exhaust <0.1 ppm (99.5% removal efficiency)
Exhaust Odour Concentration [1] 200 OU/m3
* All information in the table was provided by DSD unless otherwise stated.

[1] Refer to EIA for Tuen Mun Sewerage - Eastern Coastal Sewerage Extension (2000), H2S was converted to odour units
using 0.0005ppm odour threshold value.

Prediction of Odour Impact

Standard equipment will be installed in the deodourizing units of the proposed sewage treatment plant. For the purpose
of this assessment, an odour removal efficiency of 99.5% as mentioned in Table 3-5 above has been assumed for the
predicted results.

In general, the village houses are three-storey high. Assuming that the height of each floor is 3 m, all ASRs were
modelled for three heights (i.e. 1.5m, 4.5m and 7.5m above ground). The modelled results are shown in Table 3-6.

Table 3-6: Maximum 5-second Odour Levels for ASRs

ASR Description Predicted Maximum 5-

second Odour Level
(Odour Unit)
G/F 1/F 2/F Maximum
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PTO_A1 Village House in 0.57 0.67 - 0.67
PTOCR 28
PTO_A2 Village House in 0.58 0.64 - 0.64
PTOCR 23
PTO_A3 Village House in 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35
PTOCR 7
PTO_A4 Village House in 0.26 0.26 - 0.26
PTOCR 7A
PTO_A5 Village House in 0.22 - - 0.22
PTOCR 3A
FV_A1 Fairway Vista House 0.19 0.22 0.32 0.32
3
FV_A2 Fairway Vista House 0.21 0.35 0.58 0.58
12
REC_A1 Grassland 0.28 - - 0.28
TEM_A1 Hung Shing Temple 0.25 - - 0.25
5-second Odour Criterion : 5
The predicted 5-second average odour levels at various heights at the identified ASRs are well within the odour criterion
(i.e. 5 OU in 5-second averaging time).

MITIGATION MEASURES

Construction Phase

Due to the scale of the works of the Project, the construction works are unlikely to cause unacceptable dust impact on
surrounding sensitive receivers if standard control measures are implemented. Dust control measures as part of good
construction practice should be implemented to minimize dust nuisance to within the acceptable levels:

 l Hoarding of not less than 2.4 m high shall be erected from ground level to surround the construction site for
STP along Po Toi O Chuen Road except for a construction site entrance or exit
 l As there is limited space in Po Toi O, stockpiling should be avoided. However, if found necessary, the
materials should be covered by impervious materials such as tarpaulin
 l Good housekeeping to minimize dust generation, e.g. by properly handling and storing dusty materials
 l Store cement bags in shelter with 3 sides and the top covered by impervious materials if the stack exceeds 20
bags
 l Minimize excavation area as far as possible
 l Maintain a reasonable height when dropping excavated materials to limit dust generation
 l Cover materials on trucks before leaving the construction site to prevent debris from dropping during traffic
movement or being blown away by wind
 l Minimize exposed earth after completion of work in a certain area by hydroseeding, vegetating, soil
compacting or covering with bitumen
 l Carry out dust suppression without excessive wastewater generation, e.g. use mist spray
 l Limit vehicle speed within construction site and in Po Toi O to 10km/hr and confine vehicle movement in haul
road
 l Provide wheel washing at construction site exit to clean the vehicle body and wheel
 l Regular maintenance of plant equipment to prevent black smoke emission
 l Throttle down or switch off unused machines or machine in intermittent use

Operational Phase
Odour Impact

During the operation phase of the sewage treatment plant, the approach is to enclose all odour sources to minimize
potential odour problems. The sewage pumps, screen chamber, wet well, etc. will be located underground and enclosed
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DIAMANCE, Emmanuel B.
by a reinforced concrete structure with cover. Deodorizers with forced ventilation will be installed to remove the odour.
The deodorizer will provide an overall H2S removal efficiency of 99.5% or higher. Moreover, the exhaust from the
deodorizer will be pointed upward to allow maximum dispersion.

Sludge should be removed regularly to prevent build-up of odourous gas. As the estimated daily production of the
sludge is 5.3m3, it was considered not cost-effective to expand the footprint of the proposed sewage treatment plant to
accommodate a sludge dewatering facility. In addition, the following measures shall be implemented:

 l Regular inspection should be conducted to check for leakage of odourous gas

 l Maintain the removal efficiency of screenings and grits by flushing the screens and grit sump regularly to
prevent build up of solids
 l Screenings, grits and worn filters should be stored in sealed containers inside the STP and during removal for
disposal
 l Maintain the efficiency of MBR membrane by removing organic and inorganic debris with sodium
hypochlorite and oxalic acid
 l Replace worn activated carbon filter/biotrickling filter to maintain the odour removal efficiency at 99.5%
 l Clean all the tanks with water regularly

With the proposed measures to be incorporated into the design, the proposed sewage treatment plant should not cause
significant odour impact on the environment.

Residual Impact
With the implementation of mitigation measures as stated in Section 3.8, no residual impacts are anticipated for both
the construction phase and operational phase of the Project.

Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

With the implementation of the proposed dust suppression measures, good site practices and dust monitoring and audit
programmed, acceptable dust level would be expected at the ASRs during construction phase. Details of the monitoring
requirements such as monitoring locations, frequency of baseline and impact monitoring was prepared in the form of

Conclusion
1. Dust generating activities were identified and evaluated. Based on the best available information at time of
preparation of this EIA, there is no concurrent project in Po Toi O area in the construction phase of the Project.
Mitigation measures including watering of on-site construction area are expected to limit fugitive dust levels to
acceptable levels. With proper implementation of mitigation measures, construction dust emissions impacts are
anticipated to be acceptable. An EM&A programme will be implemented to ensure construction dust impacts
are controlled to acceptable level.
2. Due to the limited quantity of excavated soil for the Project, odour impact during the construction phase of
Project is anticipated to be acceptable if control measures as stated in Section 3.8.4 are implemented.
3. During the operational phase of the Project, all the potential odour generating facilities would be enclosed by
building structure. The deodorization facility is designed to be able to achieve an odour removal efficiency of
99.5% for the exhaust of the sewage treatment plant. Based on the odour modelling results, no exceedance of
5-OU in 5-second averaging time specified in the EIAO-TM is anticipated. During sludge transportation, it is
recommended that the sludge should be carried in enclosed containers to avoid unacceptable odour
nuisance. Membrane and filter in the STP should be regularly cleaned and replace to maintain the efficiency of
sewage treatment and odour removal. With proper mitigation measures incorporated into the design, odour
impacts arising from the proposed sewage treatment plant will be significantly reduced, and are anticipated to
be acceptable.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (SOIL POLLUTION)

INTRODUCTION
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Soil is a dynamic, natural body occurring on the surface of the earth. It is a medium for plant growth of land plants. Soil
pollution is defined as a phenomenon characterized by the loss of structural and biological properties by the soil layers
as a result of numerous human and natural factors, such as wind, deforestation, chemical use, among others, etc.
Developmental activities such as construction, transportation and manufacturing not only deplete the natural resources
but also produce large amount of wastes that leads to pollution of air, water, soil, and oceans; global warming and acid
rains. Untreated or improperly treated waste is a major cause of pollution of rivers and environmental degradation
causing ill health and loss of crop productivity. In this lesson you will study about the major causes of pollution, their
effects on our environment and the various measures that can be taken to control such pollutions.

Table-1 Types of pollutant and Effects

Pollutant Source Possible effects

Lead lead paint and gasoline brain damage and
learning problems

Coal dust coal mining black lung disease

Pesticides use in agriculture and nerve damage, birth

landscaping defects, and cancer
Bacteria in food poor sanitation and poor gastrointestinal
food handling infections
Particulate vehicle exhaust, burning respiratory damage
matter waste, fires, and tobacco (asthma, bronchitis,
smoke cancer)
Source: Based on the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control1-4. Pollution that contaminants all, or at least portions of land
and underlying soils, Common soil pollution sources

Agriculture
Example: sediments, pesticides, herbicides, animal wastes, and fertilizers resulting from poor irrigation systems and the
improper disposal of wastes .

Industrial Processes

Example: release of toxic substances from industry, poor mining practices, oil and gas well leaks, and underground
storage tanks.

Health effects

Soil pollution makes direct impact on human health or due to inhalation of polluted soil which have vaporized.

Commonly encountered heavy metals are chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, silver, cadmium,
antimony, mercury, thallium and lead etc in polluted soil can be chronic exposure to carcinogenic, due to this congenital
disorders or other chronic health problem created .Due to industrial or human made naturally occurring chemicals as
ammonia and nitrate linked with livestock fertilizer from land operation, have also been defined as health dangerous in
soil and groundwater.

The term leukaemia is also associated with higher concentration of benzene have chronic exposure to human health.
Kidney damage observe due to concentration of mercury and cyclodienes, induce sufficient concentration of PCBs and
cyclodienes have also been attached to liver toxicity. Neurological damage caused by Carbomates and
organophosphates. Cancers caused by arsenic, asbestos or dioxins, lower IQ caused by lead or arsenic, bone diseases
through lead, fluoride or cadmium. Highly polluted soil through ingestion of investing can cause death.

The Scottish Government medical institution of occupational exposure to human health from contaminated land
assessment methods to review the project for introducing the purpose of the Commission's overall guidance is an
important possibility that sites are important to human health damage (SPOSH) represents the Scottish local authorities
in assessing should be useful to the above work. it is envisaged that the project output is a short document Published
guidance and reference existing methodologies that are being particularly relevant and useful have been identified as
health risk assessment must provide high level guidance on the project how to determine the risk acceptance policy
guidelines to human health have been developed and are in the Scottish legislation and statutory Guidance( SPOSH) as
defined in line with the criteria for unacceptable risk creation approach to assessment will examine.
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Ecosystem effects: Not unexpectedly, polluted soil affected essential ecosystem due to this soil chemistry changes which
contaminated species. Radical concentration at too many hazardous chemicals can arise from there changes of
arthropods and microorganism in soil environment. Polluted soil linked to primary food chain of ecosystem which can
result into virtual elimination of the lower life forms on chemical effects. Even if small, lower food chain pyramid level
foreign organic chemicals become more concentrated for each consumers of the food chain.

The ecological balance of any system gets affected due to the widespread contamination of the soil. Most plants are
unable to adapt when the chemistry of the soil changes so radically in a short period of time. Fungi and bacteria found in
the soil that bind it together begin to decline, which creates an additional problem of soil erosion.

The fertility slowly diminishes, making land unsuitable for agriculture and any local vegetation to survive..

METHODOLOGY

Key concepts in understanding soil contamination and health, Soil Properties

Soil variation observes across the India from one place to other place. The physical and chemicals properties of soils
depend upon to topography, living being, particular time, climate condition, available material it’s also been linked to
human health. soil is a systematic composition will impact how much water holding capacity, how to supports the
ecosystem, how much chemical reaction and cycles nutrients to be occur, due to above factor it is define that how the
soil transported and transformed will definitely occur contamination in soil. The present chemicals form in living
organism that is harmful to human health.

Soil Health

Farmer relates to soil health and scientist relates to soil quality both are same. A healthy soil has many biological,
chemical and physical parameters. Heathenise of the soil will increases to add sufficient amount of organic matter
having suitable soil structure. Routes of Soils to human intake, Eating, Inhalation, Through Skin.

Table- 2 Below shows the sources, risk levels and health effects from exposure to this heavy metals

Heavy Sources of Environ mental exposure Minimum Risk level Chronic exposure toxicity effects
Metal
LEAD Industrial, vehicular emissions, paints Blood lead levels below Impairment of neurological
and burning of plastics, papers, etc. 10 µg/dl of blood* development, suppression of the
hematological system and kidney
failure
MERCURY Electronics, plastic waste, pesticides, Below 10 µg/dl of Gastro-intestinal disorders,
pharmaceutical and dental waste blood* Oral exposure of respiratory tract irritation, renal
4mg/kg/day** failure and neurotoxicity
CADMIUM Electronics, plastics, Batteries and Below 1 µg/dl of blood* Irritation of the lungs and
contaminated water gastrointestinal tract, kidney
damage, lungs cancer

Environmental Pollution and Impacts of Exposure

Heavy metal can be called as metallic elements that are available in both natural and polluted environment. In natural
environment found less concentrated but high concentrated in polluted environment. Once this heavy metal deposited
they will not be disintegrated for long life due to this so many health problem occurs as vomiting, abnormalities, nausea
and gastrointestinal, for example we discuss here as Arsenic from smelter emissions and pesticide residues binds
strongly to soil and will likely remain near the surface for hundreds of years as a long-term source of exposure.

Impacts on Public Health

Environmental assessment has been conducted to dumpsite exposes residents levels around the health, had been
continuing since pollutants adverse environment.

Table- 3
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Below summarizes the health results of the 320 children aged 2-18Years examined in MIDC Area of Mahape, Pawane
and Taloja Villages

Impacts on Public Health Affected children % disorders

Dermatological (skin disorders) 48 15

Respiratory 96 30
Gastroenteritis (GE) 39 12.2
(abdominal and intestinal
problems)
Dental disorders 31 9.7
Oto (affecting the hearing 15 4.7
system)
Skeletal /muscular systems 8 2.5
Central nervous system 7 2.3
Eye infections 17 5.3
Blood (anemia) 2 0.6
Others* 21 6.6
Normal 36 11.3
Others*: malaria, chicken pox, septic wounds, congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer

During experiment we found that higher levels of lead have downstream impact on the living organism near the affected
site in which half of the children experimented had toxic level of lead in blood sample near about equal or more as multi
nationally accepted (10 µg/dl of blood), due to this led to clinical symptoms such as muscular weakness, headaches and
chest pain etc.

Control of soil pollution

Educate farmers to ensure crop rotation. Provide informal settlements with proper waste removal. Ensure local
government provides many dustbins in towns and cities. Form action groups in communities to clean up polluted areas.
Enforce legislation to prevent dumping in unauthorized areas with strict fines.

CONCLUSION

This pilot Project has linked environmental pollution and Human health. Soil samples experimented from locations near
and within the affected site show high levels of heavy metals emanating from the site in Mainly cadmium, copper,
chromium, mercury and lead. It is only in the last 50 years, with the expansion of industry and the chemicalization of
agriculture, that the inherently extractive economy has acted as though the renewable resources that support
agriculture are fair targets for exploitation in industrial terms. That is what makes the modern era different. Guidelines
and proper management of keeping in view should be evolved slag’s including toxic metals techno economic feasibility.